Metrowerks has rev'ed its Platform Creation Suite (PCS) for Linux OS to Version 3.0, adding ease of use features that could rival those in development tools from Microsoft for Windows Embedded (XP Embedded and CE) and those from Wind River. Metrowerks says PCS can help developers create their own board support packages (BSPs), Linux distributions, and applications with less effort and less deep know-how… than was previously required.

PCS represents the evolution of the Embedix SDK product that Metrowerks acquired with its purchase of Lineo, according to Berardino Baratta, CTO of Metrowerks and vice president of the Metrowerks Linux Solutions Group. In addition to Embedix SDK components such as the target wizard, GPL compliance checker, kernel importer, build importer, and remote target view, PCS includes a subset of Metrowerks' CodeWarrior. Instead of the CodeWarrior debugger, PCS uses gdb or ddd, and JTAG debugging and CodeTest components are not included.

According to Barrata, “PCS 3.0 makes it easy for someone who's not a Linux expert to play one on TV. It has deeply embedded tools to get a board up and running, a kernel edition to lipo the drivers and packages and boot it, and application/user space tools for C/C++ and Java development. Then you can use PCS wizards to package it up with the applications for distribution and generate a BSP image.”

Barrata notes that PCS does not support writing into flash on the many different kinds of specific devices out there. “We asked our customers, and they don't need support for that last 10 percent. They have tools for that already.”

In order to use the BSPs that PCS generates, it is best if developers have a PCS license, according to Barrata, but it is not essential. “The command-line tools and makefiles have everything you need to use it without PCS, but of course it's easier with PCS.”

Barrata notes that extensive support options are available from Metrowerks' parent company, Motorola, which boasts a staff of more than 3,000 developers, but that tools and support can be purchased separately. “Many customers start out without a support plan, then some end up requiring it.”

Metrowerks intends PCS to enable developers to concentrate their efforts on creating custom applications instead of focusing on OS- and development environment-level tasks. Barrata hopes PCS 3.0 will help developers evaluate hardware platforms by quickly implementing solutions on multiple boards for performance testing.

According to Metrowerks, PCS 3.0 is designed to configure and implement Metrowerks Board Support Packages (BSPs) — downloadable products which include the Linux kernel and related tools, drivers, and documentation necessary to support development on specific boards. PCS 3.0 can be used to quickly configure, build, extend, and deploy BSPs to standard development platforms and custom hardware, Metrowerks claims.

PCS 3.0 provides free download access to pre-ported and tested Linux board support packages for ARM, ColdFire, MIPS, PowerPC, SH, and other architectures. It includes a build system and several new tools to enable the creation of customized BSPs that, in the spirit of open source, can be freely re-distributed.

Metrowerks says PCS 3.0 was created to address the need developers have for professional grade tools for embedded Linux environments. A recent report by Evans Data Corp. (EDC) found that embedded Linux remains the top embedded OS choice among developers, yet developers are not satisfied with the available embedded Linux toolsets. The survey found that fewer than 20 percent of developers rated embedded Linux toolsets as “good” and only five percent rated them “excellent.”

Platform Creation Suite (PCS) Version 3.0 for Linux OS will be available for purchase beginning September 29 from Metrowerks. Suggested retail price is $6,240 per license, which includes one year of maintenance support. BSPs are freely downloadable at www.metrowerks.com, with optional support services available for $3,000 annually.

 
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